"I would like to hear your thoughts regarding *optimal spacing* between the coils of a 1/2 inch OD copper condensing line fitted inside a 5 gallon plastic bucket. Additionally, I would like to hear your thoughts on keeping the coil level, as well as a means of *permanently fixing the space between coils*.

To make the coil, I began with 32 feet of 1/2 OD copper line and wound it around a farm size oxygen cylinder. Obviously, if coil spacing is completely lacking or too close, heat exchange between the spiraling copper line and surrounding flake-stand-water will not be optimal. Water will heat too quickly and condensation will wane. With coils being too close, and twist-rate-of-spiraling-descent being a function of coil closeness, a deficient rate of spiraling-descent will negatively affect the condensation-discharge-rate with concomitant pressure buildup in the cooker. It would then stand to reason that separation between coils is important to allow for better or optimal heat transfer as well as establishing a reasonable downward spiral of the coil to facilitate condensation discharge thus lessening the chance of pressure increase in the cooker.

What are your thoughts on optimal spacing between coils and a means of *permanently fixing the space between coils*? What is a good way to level a coil in a flake stand?

KGB"

"Just my .02$....as long as all the coils are going downhill and not touching they should be fine.

Actually even if they touch and your water is cool enough it should still be fine."

"Hi guys, I appreciate your replying to my post. Though you didn't *specifically addressed* optimal distance between each coil, in a round-about-way you did addressed the coil. Still, you didn't *specifically* address:

a) optimal spacing

b) how you would permanently secure distance between each coil

c) how you would ensure the condenser is level in the flake stand

Staying on topic with the three points listed above would be appreciated.

KGB"

"KGB, this is just my opinion.....when the hillbillies did this in the woods I would bet they did'nt use any scientific formulas to make a worm. As long as it flows downhill so when it condenses the vapor back into a liquid it will flow out that should work. Not trying to be a smartass or anything but dont let it get under your skin to much, just coil it downwards and have fun. A liebig condenser does not use coils and they work great in my opinion.
I did make a little coil condenser once and it worked but the water jacket or liebig condenser is better to me. I bet in the near future you will make one of them and like it better too. But for now the one you are useing will indeed work just keep your water cool and the coils going downhill and you'll be fine."

Bushy, you are right, I did'nt read post#5 clearly enough. What you gave him is exactly what he asked for. I bet really soonish he'll get tired of that worm and get more modern. But again thats what he asked for now. Thanks for keeping me awake.

Yes and an idustrial heat transfer pump works even better.

"

Hi Guys,
I just got back home. I have been unable to reply to recent posts until now. I suppose a liebig might be ""just the thing"" if I had a constant water source. Water to my home comes from my well so I have to be careful regarding water usage. For the most part abundance of well-water, in the winter, is directly related to Fall rains. We had little rain this Fall and we've had little snow this year, however, we are not lacking in sub-zero double digit numbers. What little winter precipitation we've been afforded lies frozen on the surface and any chance of melt will likely come around May or June. I guess it's best that I stick with a coil and flake stand. At least with a flake stand I have little trouble cooling static water. All I need to do is bring in snow and ice and add that to my flake stand when the water begins to warm. Aside from my beloved small pot still I have a reflux still that has never been used because it requires a constant water source. It has a water jacket on the column as well as a liebig condenser at the output (approx two feet in length). I have been working on making a recirculating pump that can be used to run the column. If that works I might even attach a second pump to the liebig. I have acquired a submersible bilge pump but I need to split the out-flow in order that I prevent from burning up my pump when decreasing (adjusting) water flow to the column.

KGB"